Belize: Bonefish, Tarpon and a Fish of a Lifetime

Belize didn’t begin the way we imagined.

What should have been a straightforward journey turned into three days of flight chaos in Charlotte, with snow causing delay after delay. By that point, all we wanted was to arrive. We were tired, frustrated and desperate to finally begin the trip.

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But when we did reach Caye Caulker, it instantly felt worth it.

Stepping out into the warm Caribbean air, with the sea glowing nearby and palm trees swaying, felt like entering another world. It was my first time in Central America, and there was a real buzz to that alone — a new place, new culture, new fish, and that sense of adventure that comes with not quite knowing what’s around the corner. Our cabana accommodation was an oasis of calm: tropical, peaceful, and exactly the kind of place you want to return to after a morning on the water.

Belize quickly became a trip of relaxation and excitement in equal measure.

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Most mornings and evenings were spent fly fishing the flats and docks around Caye Caulker, targeting bonefish. There’s something addictive about bonefish — the way they appear like ghosts, the sudden acceleration, the power they carry for such a streamlined fish. I was using my Hardy Marksman Z 8-weight, which felt perfectly suited to the job, and every hookup was a reminder of just how hard these fish can run.

One of the standout days was heading out on the skiff with Parnell, our guide. We hunted bonefish near the mangroves, scanning the water for movement and flashes of silver. When you finally spot them, everything sharpens — the current, the angle, the cast, the strip. Watching those silver flanks light up in the water before a fish commits to the fly is one of the most exciting sights in saltwater fly fishing. Shrimp patterns did the job, and once connected, the fish tore off exactly as you hope they will.

Then came the moment that defined the trip.

We spent a long time stalking for tarpon. Waiting. Watching. Trying to stay ready. Then finally, the chance came. I put a cast toward the fish, stripped, and missed the hookup. Heart racing, I got another shot. Recast. Strip.

Wham.

Everything changed in an instant.

The fish exploded into huge jumps, then powered away on long, unstoppable runs. It was one of those fights that becomes a complete blur and a crystal-clear memory at the same time. Pure chaos. Pure focus. Pure adrenaline. I was fishing the Hardy Marksman Z 10-weight paired with the Hardy Zane Carbon 10000, and the outfit was seriously put to work. For 1 hour and 25 minutes that fish gave absolutely everything.

The power was unbelievable.

When we finally got the tarpon alongside the boat, the scale of it was hard to process. An immense fish, all chrome and muscle. Parnell estimated it at around 80lb, and it was without doubt one of the most incredible fish I have ever caught — the kind of fish you dream about, and the kind of moment that stays with you forever.

After that, we went in search of permit to try and complete the grand slam. The opportunity was there, casts were made, but this time it didn’t quite happen. No grand slam. But honestly, it didn’t matter. After a tarpon like that, the trip had already delivered more than enough.

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And Belize wasn’t only about fishing.

There was the chance to swim with nurse sharks and turtles, to slow the pace down and enjoy the island for what it is. We spent time relaxing on golden sands at a beach club, enjoying the warmth, the sea, and the simple pleasure of being away together on a husband-and-wife holiday in such a beautiful place. The locals were wonderful, the food was excellent, and lobster appearing on the menu never got old.

Belize gave us that rare balance: adventure and peace, intensity and calm.

From the chaos of snow delays in Charlotte to the turquoise water of Caye Caulker, from bonefish on the flats to an 80lb tarpon beside the boat, it became a trip packed with moments I’ll never forget. Not quite a grand slam — but definitely the fish of a lifetime.